Diagnostic and Prognostic Biomarkers in Melanoma: Current State of Play

Abstract

Melanoma is the most deadly skin cancer. The incidence and mortality rates of this tumor have been increasing over the last number of decades. Besides clinical and histopathological characteristics (i.e., anatomic site and subtype of the primary tumor, Breslow thickness, ulceration, vascular invasion, mitotic index), an increasing variety of molecular markers have been identified, providing the possibility of a more detailed diagnostic and prognostic categorization of melanoma. Recently published gene expression and proteomic profiling data indicate new candidate molecules involved in melanoma pathogenesis, which are currently validated. This ongoing process of biomarker identification and validation is resulting in a rapidly changing molecular view of cutaneous melanoma, which holds the promise to improve our diagnostic and prognostic classification systems, as well as identifying therapeutic targets. In this chapter, we provide a comprehensive overview of the currently known serological and immunohistochemical biomarkers in melanoma.